think he will in this showdown, all but certain, that there be -- that it be done in a way that john boehner leaves with his dignity intact and a sense that he has achieved something. if it is just -- humiliation cannot be a byproduct. >> colby? >> it would not be a defeat for obama in any way. we go over the cliff, a stop because republicans sent over the cliff. -- it is because republicans send us over the cliff, not doing what americans want us to do. the american people think we ought to increase the rates. there is a principle there. they give on that, then the president has to do something on entitlements and put something on the table that is tangible, and we will have to deal. but if it they don't rely on those rates, we will go over the cliff and will be their fault. >> nina? >> everybody can see the outlines of a deal. the reason that president obama won't, i think, just be totally recalcitrant about this is that if we get this deal done, according to a number of top financial people i talk to this week, and the economy is likely to take off and save a lot of grief and make everybo